Fort Wayne breweries win medals at Indiana State Fair competition | The Dish

Fort Wayne’s craft beer scene has once again proved its mettle at the 2024 Indiana State Fair Homebrew and Professional Brew Competition. Several local breweries brought home medals.

Mad Anthony Brewing Co., a long-standing fixture in Fort Wayne’s brewing landscape, earned a silver medal for its Olde Fort Blonde Lager in the Pale American Beer category.

Junk Ditch Brewing Co. impressed judges and took home two silver medals. Its Sommerliebe earned recognition in the German Wheat & Rye Beer category, while Batch stood out in the British Pale Ale category.

Hop River Brewing Co. added to the city’s medal count with a bronze for Red Beauty in the Scottish & Irish Ale category, demonstrating the brewers’ skill with traditional beer styles.

Newer to the scene but making a strong impression, Fortlandia Brewing Co. took top honors in the Strong European Lager category. The cleverly named “Bock to the Future” secured first place.

Rounding out Fort Wayne’s impressive showing, 2Toms Brewing Co. placed third in the spiced beer category with its creation, Mardi.

Winners were announced Saturday, and the Indiana State Fair will be Aug. 2-18.

Cake store adds spot

Fort Wayne is getting a little sweeter as local entrepreneur Jennifer Henricks expands her business to a second Nothing Bundt Cakes location.

The new store, in Apple Glen Crossing, opened June 24. It is managed by Henricks’ daughter, Jorja, making the business a true family affair.

“We have been beyond blessed that our cakes have grown in popularity throughout this community to the point where we were ready to expand,” Henricks says in a news release.

Henricks’ journey hasn’t been without challenges. Just three months after opening her first store, the pandemic hit. A year later, she survived a near-fatal heart attack.

“I feel as if I’m here to spread joy one cake at a time,” she says.

To celebrate the new location, Nothing Bundt Cakes is hosting a week of grand opening events starting today.

The festivities include a ribbon-cutting, special discounts for community workers, a benefit day for St. Joseph Missions Women’s Shelter, and free Confetti Bundtlets for the first 300 guests Saturday.

Nothing Bundt Cakes offers 10 flavors of Bundt cakes and 40 designs. The new bakery is open seven days a week.

Coffee for a cause

Tim Hortons’ popular Camp Day is back, offering coffee lovers a chance to contribute to a worthy cause.

Today, 100% of hot and iced coffee purchases at Tim Hortons locations will be donated to Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, excluding taxes.

The foundation’s mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for underserved youth, helping them reach their full potential. Over its 50-year history, the program has supported more than 320,000 young people through multiyear development initiatives.

Last year’s Camp Day raised $900,000 at U.S. Tim Hortons restaurants. Since 1991, the event has collectively raised over $180 million across North America.

Camp applications are open year-round for youth from underserved communities.

Around town

• Rune Restaurant has rescheduled its Irish tasting dinner. The event will be July 31, and it is the first in a new monthly series of tasting dinners.

Tickets are $125 per person with the optional cocktail pairing made with different Irish whiskeys for $45 per person. Tickets are available on ToastTab.com.

• Ruth’s Chris Fort Wayne, 224 W. Wayne St., will host a Far Niente wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12. The dinner will feature five courses and four pairings from the Napa Valley winery.

The cost is $175 a person. Go to OpenTable.com for reservations.

The Dish features restaurant news and food events and appears Wednesdays. Fax news items to 461-8893, email kdupps@jg.net or call 461-8304 at least two weeks before event or desired publication.